Updated for 2025
Your Guide to Wilmington During the Holidays, from your favorite Wilmington Realtor
The holiday season in the Cape Fear region is a magical time—twinkling lights, coastal breezes, parades on the water, and festive events that bring the community together, or the Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Parking lot if you’re into that…
If you’ve been following us for while, you probably remember my festive content from last year where I told you the “Most Festive Shit to do During the Holidays in Wilmington,” and we’re bringing you ROUND TWO this year!
Downtown Wilmington OUTDID THEMSELVES last year with the most extravagant Christmas light display we’ve ever had here in the Port City!
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Wilmington and our surrounding beaches this year, you’re in the right place. As your local Wilmington realtor and experts in the area, we’re excited to share some of the top holiday happenings for 2025 around Wilmington, NC.
Why celebrating locally matters...
There’s something special about celebrating in a place you call home. As your Wilmington Realtor, we love showing you not just houses—but the lifestyle, the community, the seasonal rituals that make our area unique. Whether you’re here for a short visit or making Wilmington home for the long term, these holiday traditions help you feel connected and festive.
Top Holiday Light Events & Displays
@realtoroftheyear NC’s most FESTIVE Christmas boat parade🎄✨🏝️ The 2025 Holiday Flotilla returns to Wrightsville Beach, NC this month for its 41st year! 🛥️🎄🎅🏼 I’ve been boating to enjoy flotilla since I was little, so you know it will be included on our list of… 🎄🚨 “The Most Festive Sh*t to do During the Holidays in Wilmington, NC” Our ULTIMATE Port City Holiday Guide drops THIS FRIDAY (11/7 👀) and it’s packed with the best things to do this season, plus sneaky local tips on parking, where to watch, where to grab dinner after and enjoy the fireworks, and more! Make sure you’re following so you don’t miss it 🎄🚨 #thingstodoinwilmingtonnc #wrightsvillebeach #ncholidayflotilla #boatparade #christmasinwilmington ♬ levitation – Aaron Hibell & Felsmann + Tiley
📍 Wrightsville Beach, NC
When: Saturday, November 29th, parade begins at dark- fireworks to follow the parade
If you saw any of my TikTok videos about Flotilla, or even my Reel on IG, you already know Flotilla is a Wrightsville STAPLE! I grew up boating to watch the flotilla, so its basically a Thanksgiving weekend tradition at this point!
Head to my “Christmas in ILM” playlist on TikTok to explore my best tips and tricks for enjoying Flotilla 2025! (Including where we usually watch the parade, or where to go to enjoy dinner before!)
📍 Carolina Beach, NC
When: Saturday, December 6th, fireworks to follow
If you can’t make it to the flotilla at Wrightsville, Carolina Beach offers another parade that travels from Snow’s Cut to the CB Boat Basin!
PRO TIP: The Barge CB would be an amazing place to catch the parade!
Carolina Beach Christmas Parade
📍 Lake Park Blvd.
When: Friday, December 5th, 7pm
Downtown Wilmington Christmas Events:
Christmas Tree Lighting
📍 Downtown Wilmington Riverwalk, Riverfront Park (10 Cowan Street)
When: Thursday, December 4th, 6pm-8pm
PRO TIP: Grab a dinner reservation at Floriana or stop by Ponysaurus Brewing for easy walking distance to the tree lighting or any of the drone shows!
Holiday Drone show
📍 Downtown Wilmington Riverwalk
When: December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th at 7:30pm
This was such a hit last year, they’ve added multiple dates!
Wilmington Christmas Parade
📍 Downtown Wilmington, N. Front Street
When: Sunday, December 7th, 6pm
Go early, parking is madness!
Grand Illumination of Leland in Lights
📍 Leland’s Founders Park
113 Town Hall Drive Leland, NC
When: Saturday, December 6th, 6PM
Stop by the park for the start of the holiday season! Santa will even be making a special trip to Founders Park!
Topsail Beach Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
📍 Topsail Beach Town Center (630 Davis Avenue)
When: Saturday, November 29th, 4:30PM
Topsail Christmas Flotilla
📍 Soundside Park, Topsail
When: Saturday, December 13th, 6PM
Enchanted Airlie
📍 Airlie Gardens
When: During the months of November & December
Tickets are SOLD OUT for this event, but should you get your hands on some, it is a cherished annual event that is incredible for family memories.
PRO TIP: We will be giving away an Enchanted Airlie carload pass over on our Instagram 👀
Make sure you’re following along to catch our December giveaway!
📍 1600 Haw Branch Drive Beulaville, NC
When: November 14th-December 23rd
Mike’s Farm has so much to see and do, the most notable is their Festival of Lights Hayride that takes you through 1.5 miles of lights on the farm!
Tickets available for purchase for the hayrides. Reservations required to enjoy the restaurant!
Lake Linda
📍 218 Old House Road Hampstead, NC 28443
When: The lights are on from 5:30pm-10pm 7 days a week from Thanksgiving til Christmas!
Tune your radio to 89.5FM when you arrive for the best driving experience, but they encourage walking to take in all the lights!
Lake Linda is a donation based non-profit organization! They even have photo opportunities in Santas sleigh, at no cost, but donations are encouraged! This is a holiday event you don’t want to miss!
Poplar Grove Plantation- Merry & Bright: A Holiday of Lights at the Grove
📍 10200 US Hwy 17, Wilmington, NC 28411
When: Select dates during the months of November & December, click to visit their website to view specific dates
$10 all ages tickets includes enjoying the spectacularly lit grounds, roasting smores, visits with Santa, outdoor holiday movie favorites, and more!
📍 985 Johnson Nursery Rd. Willard, NC
When: November 15th-Christmas
Tickets are $12, includes self-guided tour through the lights, a whimsical Christmas maze, a festive wagon ride!
Plus, they have firepits for s’mores, coffee, and the option to purchase seasonal cocktails & wood fired pizza.
📍 Fort Fisher Aquarium
When: December 9th-January 6th
Since the Fort Fisher Aquarium is undergoing renovations, this years’ display will be a little smaller, but nonetheless, still worth seeing!
Additionally, the aquarium will be closed starting next year, for TWO YEARS, so I encourage you to take this time to explore the aquarium if you haven’t.
Wilmington Neighborhoods with Notable Light Displays
Ogden & Porters Neck (28411)
Buckhorn Court – Shared this one on our Instagram last year!
Timber Creek Lane & Wolfhead Court – Lights are already going up behind my house!
Brandywine Circle
StoneyBrooke Road
Glen Arbor Drive
Aquarius Drive
Mayfaire/Wrightsville/South College
Parkside
Chelon Ave
Disney Drive
N Hampston Road
Kirby Smith Drive
Tyndall
Masonboro Sound
Windward Oaks
River Road/Downtown/Carolina Beach:
Melton Road (Christmas at the Meltons!)
Hanna Drive
Brewster Lane
Downtown Wilmington Riverwalk
Carolina Place
Carolina Sands
PRO TIP: Explore these neighborhoods for their lights, but keep them in mind for your future home search! These are some of the most loved areas in New Hanover County.
Kure Beach Holiday Market
📍 Kure Beach Pier
When: Saturday, November 22nd and 29th, from 9am-3pm
Water Street Market
📍 Water Street, downtown Wilmington
When: Friday, November 21st, from 5pm-9pm
Holiday Performances & Shows
📍 Wilson Center
When: December 13th & 14th, 2025
Presented by the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts
Christmas Tree Lots
Celebrate Christmas in the Port City every year!
If you’re looking for your own holiday tradition in Wilmington or thinking about making this region home, let’s chat. As your trusted Wilmington Realtor with the Costin Group, we’re ready to help you explore neighborhoods, find homes that capture this festive magic, and make your move smooth.
👉 Download our Wilmington Neighborhood Guide to discover which areas best fit your lifestyle—whether you want beachside boat parades, downtown tree-lightings, or a quiet family-friendly setting.
Let’s make this holiday season not only festive, but the start of something special in your next chapter.
Wishing you a joyful and bright season from The Costin Group!
-Caroline & Matt
